What are your thoughts?
I do not understand all the rebounding and defensive problems Whitmer is having.They have three of the largest guys(tall and can throw alot of weight around,the football players) in the city league,but insist on using only one at a time. Why not play two or even three in some situations, rotate them to keep them fresh if using two, as they could dominate the boards.If they continue with what they have been doing the season is over.

W8nC,
I'm a little disappointed with the Panthers so far as I really felt that talent wise, they would be in the hunt. I still think they can be and certainly it is very early, but I'd like to see Whitmer start to play better. I don't want them to get really good this week though because I've got Perrysburg beating them, but right after that......Perhaps the use of their big guys could be an issue..I'm not sure. it may still revolve around too much one on one and not enough team play. Again, I'm not sure. I haven't taken the opportunity to see Whitmer play yet but perhaps this week I can get to their game.

I see Perrysburg in this game the overall team speed is comparable to Toledo Central Catholic but with better shooting ability.

It will be interesting to see how Charlie Hughes matches up. I've seen him dismantle St. Francis for two years now and at 6'5, he was going against the bigger Stanley and the comparable Fockler. Same will be tonight against the Hayes brothers and Wormley, should be interesting.

I think everyones expectations for Whitmer will eventually come to fruition but it is just a matter of time. This team is very young and they arent used to playing together and under Coach Smith's system and they have played like it (giving up big leads, way too many turnovers). Unlike the final 4 team of a couple years ago, where each and every kid on that team had and understood his difined role, there are 6-7 kids on Whitmers team who could in any other given year be the star of the team, which is a difficult task as a coach to get these kids to gel and play as one. Hopefully tonight, and with more practice under their belt, we will see better things.

irish_buffalo wrote: It will be interesting to see how Charlie Hughes matches up. I've seen him dismantle St. Francis for two years now and at 6'5, he was going against the bigger Stanley and the comparable Fockler. Same will be tonight against the Hayes brothers and Wormley, should be interesting.

I think everyones expectations for Whitmer will eventually come to fruition but it is just a matter of time. This team is very young and they arent used to playing together and under Coach Smith's system and they have played like it (giving up big leads, way too many turnovers). Unlike the final 4 team of a couple years ago, where each and every kid on that team had and understood his difined role, there are 6-7 kids on Whitmers team who could in any other given year be the star of the team, which is a difficult task as a coach to get these kids to gel and play as one. Hopefully tonight, and with more practice under their belt, we will see better things.

I think that your explanation of the reasons for Whitmer struggling a little bit in the early season is a very logical and accurate description of what has transpired thus far. I agree with you that this Whitmer team will be heard from before too long. Once they start playing as a unit, they will become what some have predicted. Tonight's game could be the beginning of that Whitmer victory streak, but as I already stated, I have Perrysburg to win the game tonight, so could the surge begin one game later?

As usual Irish is on the money. I will of course go with Whitmer. Sorry Swamp, I hope tonight is the night. We'll just have to w8nc ; ).

Any score on this one?

Whitmer 60
Perrysburg 57
Final

Whitmer outplayed Perrysburg at the end. Perrysburg must have put more emphasis on their next game against Glandorf because they didn't even look like the even came ready to play.

I don't agree chosenone. Pburg was not looking past Whitmer, they remembered how Whitmer ended the Jackets good season in 07 at Akron. The 2 teams haven't met since, so I believe they had a chip if you will on their shoulders. Their coach is to good to let them look past anyone, plus 6-0 they wanted 7-0.
The scoring per period went;
WHS- 11--24(13)-39(15)-60(21)
PHS- 17--29(12)-43(14)-57(14)
Whitmer was the better team.
Way to keep plugging away Panthers!

Played the big guys and won.This formula works.Need to work on the turnovers though.

I wouldn't declare Whitmer "the better team" yet. Just like Southview and St. John's, it is too early for that. Whitmer does have significant potential, but do they really have anyone who can handle the ball? Jackets let Jones shoot but he is not all that comfortable with the ball out front. Having said that, I think Whitmer has a good shot at the Final Four and an outside shot at winning the TCL championship. Coming from behind in the final two minutes at Perrysburg should give them a strong boost of confidence.

I was highly impressed with Perrysburg. The more talented team (whatever that means anymore) would be the Panthers but the better basketball TEAM was the Yellow Jackets. Perrysburg moves extremely well without the ball, picking up all kinds of points on back door screens and good movement. The Jackets also play great defense and I would love to see that Ottawa-Glandorf game because the teams are a mirror image of one another (high B-ball IQ in that one).

Ross_Ford, I disagree with your assessment on Dareon Jones. I think he is comfortable handling the ball I just think it is the lack of offensive cohesiveness that makes him look sloppy. There are times (and they are growing) where you say to yourself now that was a good offensive series (good movement with and without the ball). And then there are others where Whitmer looks like an AAU team (lazy, standing on the perimeter with hand up, etc.). AAU is certainly great for keeping kids playing basketball essentially year round but HS basketball and AAU basketball are two very different games and players like Nigel have a bit of trouble adjusting (which is expected, and he WILL adjust).

Very impressed with Kenny Hayes and Luke Hickey last night. There appeared to be moments where Kenny told himself he needed to take over and he did.

Another Whitmer Freshman, Luke Hickey stepped up and hit 3 for 7 from the 3 line, and 2 for 2 on clutch free throws with under a minute to go.